TWO leaders of the Rivers state All Progressives Congress, APC, who were part of the delegates team that attended the Special National Convention in Abuja on Monday and Wednesday have been confirmed dead, while others have suffered varying significant injuries following an Abuja auto crash.

Former Rivers APC governorship candidate Dakuku Peterside confirmed the tragedy in a condolence reflection on Friday, expressing shock over the incident believed to have occurred near Gwagwalada Road as the victim set out on the return journey to Port Harcourt.

The names of the victims were not revealed in Peterside's condolence statement, but reports emerged that the dead included Secretary of the APC, Akuku Toru Local Government Area, Onimitein Vincent Samuel, who died Friday morning.

"Even as it is natural to grieve when death strikes in families like this one, I have faith that the sacrifices they made in their lifetimes to build the APC in their respective local chapters into a viable democratic institution will not be in vain," Peterside said in his grief.

"They've established, performed their parts, and left us in tears, but their democratic credentials should always inspire us to do more."

He urged APC supporters in Rivers State to rally around bereaved families as they leave young wives and children, noting that now was the moment for APC in Rivers State to demonstrate love to them.